Brit tourist, 55, plunges to his death off 400ft cliff on holiday island in front of horrified friends

 

A British tourist has died after slipping and falling 400 feet off a cliff on the Balearic paradise island of Formentera.

The 55-year-old, who lived in London, fell to his death when he lost his foot while visiting an impressive lighthouse called La Mola.

Local reports said he was with his partner and a group of friends when the tragedy occurred.

He was initially described locally as a Lebanese man, but police sources have today confirmed that he lives in the United Kingdom and holds a British passport.

Emergency responders had to turn to drones,

Jet skis and a helicopter to locate his body because it can't be seen from the top of the cliff he fell off

.

A Civil Guard helicopter eventually managed to locate where he had landed, about 50 feet into the sea.

Footage released by police showed an officer tying a rescue bag to a winch hook before the helicopter removed it.

The drama took place at midday on Tuesday.

It is believed that the dead man was enjoying a day trip to Formentera after taking a boat from the neighboring island of Ibiza, where he was staying in a luxury hotel.

A Civil Guard spokesman confirmed that the death was being treated as a tragic accident and there was no indication that it was the result of a crime.

La Mola Lighthouse is famous as one of the top tourist attractions in Formentera.

It is located on the edge of a cliff at the eastern end of the island on the Lamola Plateau.

It is said that the area where the British tourist fell was protected by ropes designed to keep visitors out of danger following an accident there four years ago that involved a local resident.